a cathedral on the marsh

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Despite the awful weather, heavy rain, strong wind and overcast skies 720 enthusiastic visitors attended the last steaming day of the year. People from as far away as Oregon , Holland (30 by coach) and the West Country, together with locals (did not know you were there) braved the conditions.The refreshments were well used and one person said that they would be prepared to suffer the M4, M25 and Thamesmead just for the Bread pudding!

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A mini remote controlled helicopter equipped with a high resolution camera may be used to examine the gutters of the boiler house and to perform inspections that are difficult to achieve by eye.. This will save a great deal of time in preparing risk assessments needed to comply with health and safety requirements.
Not only the prospect of some fantastic, never before possible, photos and videos, but all the fabric of the building can be examined and viewed on the Trust’s computers.

Flight tests are underway to ensure that we can use this mini-marvel safely and effectively.

A “green screen” has been obtained by our photographic experts which will enable, for a small fee, photos to be taken and superimposed onto any views of the premises. This will eliminate the problems of getting the perfect background for your unique photo.
Why not try it out on the next open day?

Progress is being made to prepare a display of toilet pans ,water waste preventers (cisterns) and commodes which have been in storage. This is the work of Ray Arnold who being an ex plumber just can’t leave toilets alone.

The steaming day and vintage transport exhibition on Sunday 28 July was a great success the weather being ideal for the outside events and the Beam Engine House nice and cool. Pride of place was taken with the ad hoc collection of the trust’s own motorised equipment, in daily use around the site and a volunteer’s car which if not vintage, certainly ancient.
We also had a visit from one of our volunteers, Ron Wade, who suffered a stroke and is paraplegic, but determined to keep in touch. He single handed kept the grounds in a reasonable condition and initially stocked the cooling pond with fish.
This visit was no easy task, requiring a private ambulance, three nursing staff and a state of the art life support system wheel chair. Ron said he was pleased with the day out and would try and make it a annual event.